Message from the Heart

Every morning at 6 a.m. I text my sister and brother to let them know I’m awake and starting another day. I’ve sent that text each morning for the last 675 days and counting, not only to express my love, but to let them know I’m awake and alive. Two years ago, they were uncertain I would wake up one morning after I landed in the ICU.

At the time, I was in excellent shape, eating healthy and getting plenty of exercise. While at the gym with my trainer on a quiet Sunday, after a moderate amount of exertion, my chest began to squeeze. I dropped to my hands and knees, challenged to talk or breathe. My trainer called 911 and EMTs responded within minutes. I fell unconscious and was paddled twice on the ride to the ER.

Plaque in the heart’s main artery (LAD) had ruptured, resulting in a blood clot and a 100 percent blockage. A stent cleared the blockage, and my good physical condition and strong heart contributed to a positive outcome. However, the doctor’s attention turned to another concern.

A separate, pre-existing arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation) of my heart’s electrical function, not related to the blockage, was uncovered. When I was queried about any prior sensations with my heart, a light bulb went on. For years, I would experience palpitations and shortness of breath that I associated with anxiety. When they occurred, I would use conscious breathing and meditation to calm the anxiety, which I believed was the cause, unaware it was arrhythmia caused by an electrical imbalance. With subsequent cardioversion and ablation procedures, those imbalances are now corrected.

I’m extremely lucky on two counts. Being at the gym, I was in the right place at the right time, and surviving a 100 percent blockage was a blessing in disguise. There are many who did not and will not share my outcome. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a public health crisis, claiming the lives of more than 350,000 Americans each year. Here are two. Greg Moyer (GregAED.com) died at age 15, playing basketball. Peyton Walker (PeytonWalker.org) died at age 19 while away at college. I’m honored to know Rachel Moyer and Julie Walker. They have been an absolute force in getting AEDs (automated external defibrillators) out into the public and training communities in CPR. They continue to achieve wonderful things in their respective children’s names... truly remarkable!

Don’t take your health or your heart for granted. Stay in shape, eat well, see your doctor regularly and love your loved ones every day while on the journey toward feeling good, living simply and laughing more. ♥

Natural Awakenings of South Central Pennsylvania is a faithful steward of global resources. We are delighted to be part of an environmentally conscious community and therefore manufacture this magazine utilizing the environmentally-friendly cold-set web printing process which emits virtually immeasurable VOC's into the environment. This product is 100% recyclable.

Dave Korba, Publisher

Natural Awakenings is a network of holistic lifestyle magazines providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet. Contents

16 HEART-HEALTHY KIDS

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18

Setting a Course for Cardiovascular Wellness

18 IMPROVING HEART HEALTH

Lifestyle Metrics to Prevent Heart Disease

21 NOURISH THE HEART

Foods That Promote Cardiac Healing

24 RHYTHMS OF THE HEART

Improving Mood With Vagus Nerve Toning

26 LOVE IN THE PRESENT MOMENT Mindfulness for Couples

28 WHOLE FOODS FOR DOGS AND CATS

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26 28

Human-Grade Meals for Our Furry Best Friends

30 ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

Articles and Videos Available Online at NaturalCentralPA.com

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24 fit body

26 healing ways

28 natural pet 30 calendar

31 classifieds

21

32 online exclusives

33 resource guide

Arvigo Maya Abdominal Therapy® Addresses: digestive disorders, IBS, Crohn’s, elimination disorders, bloating endometriosis, prolapse, infertility (women & men), PMS, depression prostitis, kidney disorders, addictions

A New Era of Well-Being is Here

Infinite Mind-Body Organization of Wellsville has expanded their services to include the Energy Enhancement System (EESystem) spa, which combines body, mind, spirit and science to help achieve peak performance and reach higher states of health, consciousness and self-actualization.

Bonnie Mirecki says, “The EESystem generates multiple bioactive, life-enhancing energy fields, including scalar waves that allow cell regeneration, improve immune function, provide relief from pain, detoxify the body, elevate moods and assist in balancing right and left hemispheres of the brain to increase energy levels.”

This stunning technology was developed over 20 years by Dr. Sandra Rose Michael, Ph.D., DNM, DCSJ, using custom-installed computers to generate morphogenic energy fields that can promote healing. The ecologically and environmentally safe system is used by individuals, doctors and therapists, as well as meditation and wellness centers, to improve human development and psychological well-being.

See CALENDAR PAGE for exciting EVENTS & WORKSHOPS at the Hive

COMING SOON! Taking applications for Beehive Mystery School 2023: Email Jaque@beepresentwellness.com

Cost is $60/hour. Save money with Quantum Wellness packages. For more information, call 717-319-7244, email InfiniteMindBodyOrg@gmail.com. or visit EESystem.com. See ad, page 9.

Iridology Visions Of Health

David A. Frederick, Ph.D., D.Sc., ND, will present a one-day iridology workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., February 25, at the Mt. Zion Road Hampton Inn. He says, “The iris of the eye can show years of possible weaknesses towards internal organs and possibly point to health problems. By learning the signs of the iris you can access possible weakness in your health and what to do to bring your body back into balance.”

Attendees receive a map of each eye showing the internal organs left and right; ways to rebalance the body through iridology; basic eye patterns; temperature types; fiber structure; color types; pupil tonus; nerve rings; lymphatic rosary; scurf ring; plus a manual, magnifier and eye chart showing the physical body to discover what the eyes can reveal.

Frederick, director of Mind/Body Health Consultants, in York, holds degrees in psychology, naturopathy, complementary and alternative medicine. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, London and board-certified alternative medical practitioner. There are more than 3,000 iridologists in Germany alone, and hundreds in the U.S.

Cost is $125. Event location: 1550 Mt. Zion Rd., York. To reserve seating, call 717-344-0075. See ad, page 17.

1881 Salt Sanctuary

Grand Opening

1881 Salt Sanctuary will hold a grand opening with special activities, exhibits from other local holistic vendors and door prizes on January 27 and 28 at 1881 Loucks Road, in York. Guests will have a chance to experience dry salt therapy and to become familiar with other members of the holistic community.

Owner Robbi McClane says, “We are a holistic therapy arts center that opened in early December. We bring dry salt therapy in the form of a community salt room and a private salt chamber to the York area. We also offer relaxation and therapeutic massage that incorporates a range of healing modalities. The core of our retail space includes an herbal apothecary, but we also offer a range of unique gifts focused or sourced from nature. Our vision is to become a core member of central Pennsylvania’s holistic community that encourages individuals to explore the power of nature and the power within themselves to help maintain a happy, healthy life.”

Admission is free. For more information, call 717-894-1881, email Info@1881sanctuary. com or visit 1881sanctuary.com. See ad, page 9.

The Balance Adds New Services

TheBalance has added a 110-minute Mind, Body and Spirit Massage that includes relaxation, deep tissue and hot stones. A new Sports & Fitness Massage focuses on the specific muscles involved in the sport or fitness regimen, followed by proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching and pneumatic compression to help increase blood flow to restore and reinvigorate the muscles.

A postural alignment package was added to restore good posture and alleviate pain. This includes myofascial release techniques and an exercise regimen to help maintain good posture. These new services will help reduce stress, pain and tightness, and increase body awareness.

Location: 2201 Forest Hills Dr., Ste. 9. For appointments and more information, call 717877-7533, email Brenda@BalanceIsYours.com or visit BalanceIsYours.com. See ad, page 25.

Open House at New Location for Dr. McLaughlin Wholistically

Simple Rx has relocated to 1000 Carlisle Street, Suite 2225, in Hanover, behind the Clearview Shopping center. They will hold an open house from 5 to 9 p.m., February 17, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., February 18. The open house includes free 15-minute consults, free energy scans, educational health discussions and light refreshments.

Dr. Tia McLaughlin is scheduling in-person one-to-one health and wellness consults for rebalancing and functional medicine for whole body health and wellness. Having a shared office space in Hanover will allow for strong connections, additional group offerings and wellness opportunities for healing.

She uses a combination of a conventional and natural, whole body, wholistic approach and feels it is important to simplify our lives so we can overcome overwhelm, stress and habits that don’t serve us or promote wellness.

McLaughlin specializes in helping those with autoimmune or chronic conditions such as celiac, diabetes, or other gut health concerns, and those that are ready to work on cleaner living through food, toxic load and stress/mindset through energy regulation and a unique, whole body approach.

Free 20-minute meet-the-doctor clarity sessions will be offered for new clients interested in learning more. For more information, call or text 717-885-6638, email Drtiamclaughlin@gmail.com or visit DrTiaMcLaughlin.com. See ad, page 10.